Condenser assembling machine



Filed Sept. 28, 1942 11 Sheets-Sheet. 1

INVENT OR. Ha raid 1. D0 zz ger BY 420 1 AF /M6W W ATTORNEY.

April 22, 1947. H. I. DANZIGER 2,419,484

conmznsna ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 28, 1942 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Harald Da nzllger April 22, 1947. H. DANZIGER CONDENSER ASSBilBLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 28,'1942 11 Sheets-Sheet 3 mvmoza,

Harold 1 Buzz 17; 9%

{gar y A $2 April 22, 1947. H DANZlGER 2,419,484

coummsnn ASSEMBLING momma Filed Sept. 28, 1942 11 Sheats-$heat 4 I 97 F": FE5- INVEITTOR ATTORNEY.

Harold I. Danzzfger,

April 22, 1947.

H. i. DANZIGER CONDENSER ASSEIIBLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 28, 1942 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. Harald I Danzz'ger l 22, 1947- H. I. DANZIGER CONDENSER ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 28, 1942 11 Sheets-Shae: 8

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Ha raid I. Danzzlger ii s ATTO P 2, 1947. H. l. DANZIGER CONDENSER ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 28, 1942 llSheets-Sheet 1O mvsmoa Harald Z Danzz'ger A'ITORNEY.

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CONDENSER ASSEIIBLING. MACHINE Filed Sept. 28, 1942 11 Sheets-Shut l1 Patented Apr. 22, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT omen:

2,419,484 CONDENSER ASSEMBLING MACHINE Harold I. Danziger, West Orange, N. J.

Application September 28, 1942, Serial No. 460,016

This invention relates to a machine for producing electrical condensers and, more particularly, to a unitary; integrated machine for assembling automatically the body, shell and terminals of condensers in succession and for testing the assembled condensers and sortingthem according to their characteristics.

In accordance with the present invention, the entire assembling process is carried out automatically except for a loading of the machine with loose condenser body and shell units-which may be done manually by feeding these units in succession to a travelling conveyor or table of the machine. 'Ihereupon the machine performs different successive operations on these units in such sequence and timing as to place the units in finished form. The different operations performed in each condenser are; in the order of their performance, a tinning of the opposite ends of the condenser bodywhlch may typically be of the paper-foil form; a forming, applying and soldering of terminals to the opposite ends of the condenser body; a sealing and closing of the 13 Claims. (Cl. 2925.42)

opposite ends of the shell to retain the condenser body in place; a testing of the condenser for a short-circuit condition and subsequent ejection of the same from the machine should it test defective; a testing of the condenser for capacity (should it have passed the short-circuit testing station) and subsequent ejecting of the same from the machine should it exceed prescribed tolerance limits; and then an ejecting of the condenser from the machine should it have passed both of the foregoing tests. This cycle of operations is repeated continuously on successive condensers, the different operations being performed simultaneously on different condensers.

It is an object of my invention to provide a new and improved machine for the purpose here stated.

It is another object to provide a machine which is capable of carrying out the above stated functions in a positive and dependable manner.

It is a further object to provide a machine which is capable of producing finished condensers on an efficient commercial basis.

It is another object to provide a practical machine for the purposes here stated which is simple in construction and in operation.

It is a more particular object to provide improved means and methods for performing the several operations by which the condenser parts are placed into finished units.

It is another object to correlate the sequential operations of the machine in a novel and improved manner to enable a simplification and standardization in structure and further to enable a more reliable and efilcient operation of the machine.

Still other and allied objects of my invention will more fully appear from the following description and the appended claims.

In the description of my invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a top plan view of the machine;

Figure 2 is a vertical cross section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary enlarged top plan view of the machine showing the first tinning and turning stations;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on. the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side view of the machine showing in particular the first turning station and the second tinning station, the turning station appearing in vertical section on the line 6-6 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a partial. vertical sectional View taken substantially on the line 1-1 of Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a partial front view of one of the turning stations between the terminal-soldering or waxing stations;

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view of the structure of Figure 8, taken substantially on the line 9-9 of that figure;

Figure 10 is a partial enlarged vertical sectional view of the first tinning station taken substantially on the line Ill-l 0 of Figure 1;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the structure of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on the line l2l2 of Figure 10;

Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section of the first terminal-soldering station taken substantially on the line i3-l3 of Figure 1;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially on the line 14- of Figure 1'3;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken substantially on the line l5l5 of Figure l3;

Figure 16 is a partial enlarged top plan view of the first terminal-soldering station;

Figure 17 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken substantially on the line l1l'l of Figure 13;

Figure 18 is a side view of a part of the ter- 3 minal-soldering station, partially in vertical section substantially on the line "-48 of Figure 16;

Figure 19 is a side elevational view of the cam for raising the terminal-holding arm of each terminal-soldering station;

Figure 20 is a side elevational view of the cam for controlling the clamp of each terminal-holds Figure 21 is a side elevational view of the cam for raising the soldering iron of eachterminah soldering station;

Figure 22 is a chart illustrating the action of certain cams of the terminal-soldering station;

Figure 23 is a chart showing a group of approximate line diagrams illustrating the timing between the various operations performed by the terminal-soldering station, particularly in relation to the travel of the conveyor of the machine;-

Figure 24 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the first sealing station taken substantially on the line "-24 of Figure 1;

Figure 25 is an enlarged side elevational view, partially in vertical section on the line 25-25 of Figure 1, showing the station for testing the assembled condensers for short circuits;

Figure 26 is an enlarged top plan view of the testing station shown in Figure 25;

Figure 27 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially on the line 21-21 of Figure 26;

Figure 28 is a view of structure and circuits employed in the capacity testing station of the machine;

Figure 29 is a partial enlarged vertical sectional view of the station for electing the finished condensers from the machine.

Figure 30 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially on the line 22-40 of Figure 29; and

Figure 31 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken substantially on the line 3I-4i of Figure 29.

Figure 32 is a fragmentary plan view of the drive mechanism for the entire machine.

The illustrative embodiment of my invention herein disclosed comprises a main frame ID of a generally circular form as viewed from the top (see Figures 1 and 2). This frame has radial webs ll supporting a central bearing l2 in which there is journalled a vertical shaft i 3. Carried by the shaft i3 above the frame is circular table l4 comprising a central spider and a circular horizontal shelf l5 disposed about the periphery of the spider. In the shelf at equally spaced intervals are radial slots l6, and disposed in each slot is a tumbler ll. These tumblers are in the form of tubes having bores to receive the shells l8 of the condensers. The shells are to fit snugly the bores of the tumblers; to adapt the tumblers for shells of different diameters, the shells may be hushed up as the particular conditions may require.

In the operation of the machine, the table is advanced with an intermittent rotary motion in a counter-clockwise direction, the distance of each interval of advance being such as to bring each tumbler I'l into the position previously occupied by the one immediately ahead of it. This intermittent advance of the table is effected by a ratchet mechanism comprising a lever l9 pivoted on the shaft I3 beneath the table and pivotally carrying a pawl 20 which engages a circular rack 2| mounted on the underside of the table. A reciprocatory movement of the lever such as will advance the table intermittently an interval at a time is effected by a rotating wheel 22 carried on a. shaft 23 and coupled by a link 24 to the lever N. A brake 25, which comprises a drum 25' and a brake band 25" frictionally embracing the drum and held stationary to the frame through a post 28, serves to prevent inertia overrunning of the table at the end of each advance and to hold the table stationary between successive advances.

The tumblers ll each have trunnions I which are Journalled in standards ll that extend down from the shelf [5 at opposite sides of each slot I! (see Figures 3, 4 and 6). One trunnion of each tumbler is coupled by right-angle bevel gearing 42 to a shaft 43 which extends radially inwardly of the table and which is journalled in standards 44 provided on the underside of the shelf IS. A circular head 45 is pinned to the inner end of each shaft 42 and each head is provided on its inner face with a diamctrical tongue 46. While the shafts 42 are provided for turning the tumblers, as will hereinafter be apparent, the turnblers are normally held stationary in vertical positions as shown. This is done by a rotation-constraining means consisting of arcuate plates 41 which are secured by screws 48 to the top edge of the frame Hi, these plates being so positioned that they bear slidably against the undersides of the tongues 46 and hold the shafts 42 from turning, as appears in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 7. To prevent the condenser bodies and shells from falling out of the tumblers, arcuate retaining plates ll are provided below the tumblers; these plates are supported by the frame in through brackets 50 in horizontal positions wherein they partially close the lower ends of the tumblers, as is shown in Figures 2 and 6.

At the place designated by the bracket 21 in Figure 1, which place is hereinafter referred to as the loading station, the loose condenser shell and body elements are fed to the machine, there being a shell and a body inserted in each tumbler as it passes through this station. Following the loading station and spaced at suitable intervals about the table are the stations which perform the separate operations by which the condenser parts are assembled and the finished condensers are tested and ejected from the machine. I'hese stations appear in the following order as one proceeds from the loading station about the table in the direction of its advance: a first "tinning station 28 for applying solder to one end of each condenser body, a turning station" 29 for inverting each tumbler, a second "tinning station" 28a for applying solder to the other end of each condenser body, a first station 30 for forming a terminal and applying and soldering the same to one tinned end of each condenser body, which station is referred to simply as a terminal-soldering station, a second turning station" 29a, a second terminal-soldering station" 30a for soldering a terminal to the other tinned end of each body, a first "sealing station 32 for sealing closed one end of each shell, a third "turning station" 29b, a second "sealing station 320 for sealing closed the opposite end of each shell, a short-circuit testing station" 34 for testin the finished condensers for short circuits and ejecting those from the machine which test defective, a "capacity-testing station" 34a for testing the condensers for capacity and ejecting those exceeding prescribed tolerance limits, and an ejecting station" 36 for discharging from the machine the condensers which have passed the testing stations.

' a bearing 9| My invention contemplates that, in the performance of the respective tinning, terminal-soldering and sealing operations, a first one of such operations will be performed on one end of a condenser unit, the condenser unit will be next inverted and then a second of such operations will be performed on the other end thereof. Preferably, however, I provide separate stations or mechanisms for performing such repeated operations. Accordingly, there are provided a pair of tinning, terminal-soldering and sealing stations, respectively-and between each pair of such stations there is provided a turning station for successively inverting the condensers. In this way the'stations of each pair are permitted to be identical, each. to operate on the successive condensers in the most effective and efficient manner; also, there is realized a greater standardization of parts in quent reduction in cost of the overall machine.

Tinning stations The tinning stations herein next described are not claimed herein since the same are described and claimed in my pending divisional application Serial No. 702,873, filed October 11, 1946, and entitled Coating machine.

The first tinning station, shown in detail in Figures 10-11 and 12, comprises a continuously rotating roller 80 partially immersed in a molten solder bath iii. The peripheral surface of the roller is provided with small pockets, as by knurling, in order that it may effectively pick up the solder and carry it from the bath as the roller rotates. Each condenser body conveyed from the loading station to this first tinning station is moved directly overhead the roller 80; then while the table is at rest the condenser body at this station is pressed down through its shell onto the knurled surface of the roller. Solder is thus carried to the condenser body to tin the lower end thereof.

The solder bath 8! is contained in a trough 82 which is supported by an outwardly extending, subsidiary frame portion 83 of the main frame III. In the bottom wall of the trough there is a chamber 84 in which there is housed an electrical heating unit 85 for maintaining the solder bath in a properly heated state, the open end portion 84 of the chamber being counterbored and threaded to receive a threaded hub portion 85' of the heating unit whereby to hold the unit in place. The roller 80 is secured to a horizontal shaft 81 which is journalled in bearings 88 provided in the side walls of trough. The shaft 81 is coupled through right-angle bevel gearing 89 to a vertical shaft 90 which is journalled in of the frame 83; this vertical shaft is in turn coupled through right-angle bevel gearing 92 to a horizontal drive shaft 93 journalled in standards 94 of the frame 83. The drive shaft 93 extends inwardly through an opening 95 in the main frame Ill and therewithin makes connection with a suitable source of power, as is hereinafter explained, from which source it receives one revolution of continuous movement for,

each step of advance of the table.

Successive ones of the retaining plates 49 are spaced apart at the tinning station, and the open space between plates is occupied by the top portion of the roller 80, the roller being positioned though at a level somewhat bethe lower ends of the tumblers as is Figure 12, this lowered positioning of the roller being to prevent the depositing solder onto the tumblers. The end ortion it or the retaining plate which precedes the roller in respect of the direction of advance oi. the table, is inclined downwardly substantially to the level of the top portion of the roller. Thus, the con.- denser bodies, as they are conveyed to the tinnlng station, are permitted to move down gradually by their own weight onto the roller. However, to insure not only a contact but also a definite pressure of each condenser body against the roller, each condenser body is spring-pressed against the roller during the interval of its 06- cupancy of the tinning station. The mechanism for so pressing the condenser bodies against the roller includes a plunger rod 96 at the side of the table which has an arm 91 at its upper end overhanging the shelf 15 and carrying a downwardly extending pin 98 in line overhead with the bore of the tumbler at the tinning station. The plunger rod 96 slides vertically in a pair of spaced bearings 99 of the frame 83, and is biased downwardly by a compression spring I00 interposed between the upper one of the bearings 99 and a collar IN on the rod. The plunger rod is controlled at thebottom by a cam I02. This cam is of the one-lobe type and is mounted on the outer end of the aforementioned drive shaft 93 to receive one revolution of movement for each step of advance of the table. The cam is timed in relation to the ratchet advance for the table so that the lobe thereof will engage the plunger rod and hold it in a raised position, wherein the pin 98 clears the tumblers, while the table is in movement and so that the recession of the cam will traverse the rod to move spring l0| while the table is at rest.

the pin 98 tion and presses the condenser body which is within this tumbler down onto the roller 80, of the condenser body being r lative to as the latter tightly fits and is held stationary to the tumbler. This relative movement of the body to the shell has the advantage of preventing solder from being deposited onto the end of the advances, the condenser body at off from the roller of the next succeeding there being a bevel so that the conhell.

As the table the tinning station is slid onto the end portion 49" one of the retaining plates 4!, )3 on the end portion 49" denser body may onto the plate, as This end portion 49" is inclined upwardly so as to cam the condenser bodyback to its normal level within the tumbler as the body is conveyed one step of advance beyond the tinning station.

Suitably beyond the first tinning station 28 there is located the second tinning station 28a. However, between these stations, as at a distance of one interval of 0nd of these stations, there is located the turning station 29. This turning station inverts the tumblers so as to bring the upper untinned ends of the condenser bodies to the lower position before they enter the second of the tinning stations. By this inversion, the second tinning station. which is made identical with the first, will tin the other end of each condenser body in same way as is above described.

Turning stations At the turning station 29,

there is another of 76 break in the continuity of the retaining plates pass smoothly from the roller 49 to provide an open space, and in this space there is located an diametrical groove 63, and the vertical positioning of the head in relation to the level of the con- 80 is turned intermittently for each step of advance of stationary, with the groove sition, during each period shown in Figure 7.

The shaft Si is driven intermittently through to the shaft 6| through a vertical shaft 12 jour- The drive member is circular ex- At this recess the the drive of the adjacent the wheel through ing swept through 3 is so moved.

revolution, the teeth 11 bethe recess 14' as the wheel These successive one-quarter revolutions to the The successive actuations of the Geneva mech- From the foregoing description, it is seen that. in each advance of the table, a tongue I! is brought into engagement with the slot 63 to couple a tumbler with the of the constraining bier constrained against rotation on to the next station;

these operations being repeated sive tumblers conveyed to the turning station.

Terminal-soldering stations The first terminal-soldering station 30 is positioned suitably beyond the second tinning stathus placing sh'ear the wire, projecting from the Figure 18. (It is by this shearing action that a formed terminal is out free from the wire supply. as will hereinafter appear.) Then, as the disk member turns onwardly to complete a revolution of movement, the cam H engages this short length of wire and bends it over between the two disk members and into engagement with a slot provided in the end portion of the snout. As the disk member I00 turns through a revolution of movemen the cam H3 engages the bentover lengths of wire and curls it about it into the form of a loop. When the disk members have thus each completed a revolution of movement, another length of wire is fed out through the snout, after which the disk members are each again moved through another revolution of movement. In the initial repeat movement of the disk member I01, the blades III and H2 reengage to sever the wire. The wire element which is thus cut oil from the wire supply constitutes a formed wire terminal H0 having a shank H6 and a head H6". By a suitable drive mechanism not herein necessary to show, this terminal forming machine is driven to deliver one formed terminal for each cycle of operations of the terminal-soldering station.

Before the terminal H6 is out free from the wire supply, it is gripped between a pair of clamping jaws I20 provided on an arm I2I. This arm is carried on the upper end of a vertical rod I22 and receives from the rod and lateral movements. The clamping jaws and arm are so controlled that just after a. terminal from the terminal-forming machine, but before the terminal has been cut free, the arm sition wherein the jaws embrace the shank of the terminal-which is the position of the arm dottedly shown in Figure 16; the jaws are then closed and the terminal is out free; and thereupon, the arm is moved downwardly to dip the head of the terminal into a solder bath I23, and is next raised and swung over the table I4 to place the terminal directly overhead the condenser body at the terminal-soldering station, the shank of the terminal being thus placed within the recess of a U-shaped heating element I24 of a soldering iron I24. (See Figures 13, arid 16.) In the next succeeding operation the condenser body, terminal and soldering iron are a soldering relation effective to cause the terminal to be soldered to the condenser body. This soldering relation is effected preferably by a push rod I25 which enters the tumbler from the bottom and pushes the condenser body upwardly through its shell against the terminal head with sufficient force to slide the shank of the terminal between the clamping jaws I and thus press the terminal head into contact with the soldering iron. After the condenser body, terminal and iron have been held in soldering relation for a predetermined interval, the iron is raised to move it free from the terminal. upon, the clamping jaws are opened, the push rod I is withdrawn from the tumbler, and the arm I2I is swung back to the terminal-forming machine. Of these operations, it will be seen that the dipping of the terminal into the solder bath I23 and the placing of the terminal into position. to be soldered to a condenser body takes place during the period of advance of the table. and that the actual soldering operation then takes place while the table is at rest. The mechsnout such as is shown in the snout,

' are now described in detail.

laws I20, and a 10 anism by which these operations are carried out The arm I2I comprises a member I20 rigidly secured at one end to a head I20 on the rod I22 and terminating at its other end in one of the flat member I21 secured slidably to the member I20 by screw and slot connection I20 and having a turned over lug on its outer end forming the other of the jaws I20, the inner end portion of the member I21 being extended .slidably through the head I20. As so mounted,

the member I21 may slide lengthwise of the member I26 to open and close the'jaws I20. These jaws are biased closed by a tension spring I30 connected between the member "I21 and head I20, and are opened in the operation of the machine by a cam I3I which acts on an inclined edge I32 provided on the inner end of the member I21, as is hereinafter explained.

The terminal-soldering station 30 has its parts carried by a housing I30 which is secured to the outer side of the main frame I0 as in any suitable way not herein necessary to show. This housing is substantially cylindrical in shape, and is provided with an uprightboss I31, as is shown in Figures 13 and 16. The rod I22 extends down through this boss into the housing, and has its lower end portion journalled in a long bearing I30 formed integrally with the housing. Embracing the rod I22 and extending through the boss I31 is a long sleeve I30 which carries the aforementioned cam I3I at its upper end. In turn, embracing the sleeve I30 and Journalled to the boss I31 is a tubular shaft I which has a circular head I4I secured eccentrically to the upper end thereof. This head has a bottom flange I4I' which rests on the top surface I31 of the boss I31 to support the shaft I40 vertically. Journalled to the head I4I 'and a nut 20I which is threaded to the shaft horizontally disposed member 202. This member carries the soldering iron I24 at one end, and is constrained to substantially linear movement at the other end as by means of a tail rod 204 which is secured to the member and extended slidably through an apertured stud 200 that is carried pivotally by an arm 201 of the frame I35.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the rod I22'may both pivot and slide in the bearing I33 and sleeve I39 to raise and lower the arm I2I and to swing it laterally. Also, the sleeve I33 may slide vertically on the rod I22 and shaft I40 to press th cam I3I against the edge I32 and thus cam open the clamping jaws I20. (Because the cam I3I is to bear against the edge I32 at different angular positions of the arm I2I, the cam I3I is cupped as is shown in Figure 16.) Furthermore, the shaft I40 may be slid vertically to raise and lower the soldering iron and may be rotated to impart a circular oscillatory movement to the iron through the eccentric head I4I acting in conjunction with the movement constraining means for the support member 202 of the iron above described.

The rodl22, sleeve I30 and shaft I40 are adjusted vertically by respective cam mechanisms I45, I46 and I41; and the rod I22 is adjusted angularly by a cam mechanism I40. The cams of each of these mechanisms are pinned to a vertical shaft I43 which is Journalled at I and I5I to the top and bottom walls of the housing, by a thrust transmission I53 is in turn coupled shaft between the flange pear. bearings I55, is driven continuously through one revolution for each cycle of operations of the machine, the shaft I49 thus also receiving one revolution per cycle of operations of the machine by reason of the 1:1 transmission ratio of the gearing I54.

The cam mechanism I45, shown in Figures 13 and 19, comprises a cylindrical cam I60 secured to the shaft I49; an arm I6I above the cam which slidably embraces the shaft I49 at one end and pivots on the rod I22 at the other I62 journalled to the arm at a point between the shaft I49 and rod I22 and positioned to ride on the cam I60; and a tension spring I63 which serves to bias the rod I22 and arm I 6| downwardly and to maintain the follower I62 in contact with the cam I 60, this spring being connected between the housing and a hub I65 (01 a rocker arm I65 hereinafter explained), which is pinned to the shaft I49 and which bears down pivotally against the arm I6I. The cam I60 has a flat or dwell I60 along the greater annular distance thereof, and a recession I60" along its remaining distance, as ure 19 and by curve I of chart 22.

nected to the rocker arm. The cam substantially constant radius along a lower I66 traverses the inner dwell I64, and is held stationary at the terminal-forming machine, in position over the solder bath I23, as the follower traverses the outer dwell I64".

The cam nailed to the arm in position to ride on the cam I68, and a compression spring I1I interposed between the arm I69 and a bearing IN on the sleeve I39 to bias the arm I 69 The cylindrical cam I66 has a major lower-level dwell I60 and a minor highlevel dwell I60" as is shown in igure by curve 2 or chart 22. When the follower I10 registers with the lower-level dwell, the sleeve position wherein the cam with the edge I02 of the which presses against a flange end of the shaft I40 and transmits its pressure through a ball bearing assembly I15 to the arm I13 to maintain the cam follower I14 in contact bearing assembly being explained. The cam I12 has a longer lower-level dwell I12 and a remaining higher-level dwell I12" as is shown in F1 "c 21 and by curve 5 of chart 22. When the The solder bath I23 I16 shown in Figure I8, passageway is contained in a well h has an entrance iron element I24. This upward movement of the push rod I25 is preferably eflected through a yieldable transmission, for reasons which will be 13 hereinafter apparent, which transmlssionmay comprise a tubular plunger I88 slidably mounted, below the tumbler at the terminal-soldering station, in an onset wall portion I9I of the housing for vertical up and down movement. The

plunger has a restricted opening I88 in its upper end a Stlld I81 threaded into its lower end. ,A

piston I88 is mounted in the plunger and pressed against the upper end of the plunger by a compression spring I90 interposed between the piston and the stud I81. The aforementioned push rod I25 is secured to the piston and extended vertically through the opening I80. Beneath the plunger is a cam I89, which is pinned to the drive shaft I53, and on the stud I81 is a foot I92 which rides on the cam, the foot being adapted to follow the cam under the influence of a spring I99 which biases the plunger downwardly. This spring is housed in a cylindrical recess I9I' in the wall portion I9I and presses downwardly against a post I94 which engages the recess and is carried by a side extension I92 on the foot,

' as is shown in Figure 13.

The cam I89 has one lobe as is shown in Figure 14, which engages the foot and imparts an upward movement to the plunger once during each revolution of the shaft I53. This upward movement of the plunger is transmitted to the push rod I25 by the spring I90, to cause the push rod to enter the tumbler at the terminal-soldering station and raise the condenser body. As the condenser body is pressed against the terminal, the spring I90 yields somewhat, to take .care of varying lengths of different condenser bodies while yet to transmit a substantially even pressure to each body, but is adapted to transmit sufflcient force to each body to overcome the friction of the clamping aws I20 against the terminal, whereby to press the head of the terminal into contact with the soldering iron I24. To hold the condenser body raised and in soldering relation with the terminal and iron for a predetermined interval, the lobe of the cam I89 is provided with a suitable dwell as appears in Figure In order that the soldering iron will distribute the solder evenly over the end of the condenser body to assure a strong soldered joint, the shaft I40 is rotated continuously to impart a continuous horizontal circular movement to the iron. This rotation of the shaft I40 is derived from the shaft I49 through a set of gears 201 having approximately a 2:1 step up in transmission ratio to insure a substantial horizontal movement of the iron while the same is held in solspring stations are represented at any one instant by the points of intersection of a vertical line drawn through the diagram at such horizontally spaced point as represents the instant selected.

From the foregoing description of the terminalsoldering station and the functional line diagrams of Figure 23, it will be seen that a cycle of operations takes place, once for each step of advance of the table, as follows: At" the start of a step of advance of the table, the clamping jaws I20 are held open by the cam mechanism I40 and the arm I2I is held at normal level, by the cam mechanism I45, and in a position overlying the tumbler at the terminal-soldering station by the cam mechanism I48. Immediately following, however, the arm I2I is swung back to the terminal-forming machine; but before the arm is so returned the terminal-forming machine projects a new terminal downwardly above the soldering bath into position for entry into the open jaws of the returning arm I2I. Following the return of the arm, the clamping jaws I20 are closed to grip the shank of this terminal. Then, in the sequence here named, the blades III and II: engage to cut the terminal free from the wire supply; the arm I2I is lowered by the cam mechanism, to dip the head of the terminal into the soldering bath I23, and is then swung forwardly over the table by the cam mechanism I48 to place the shank of the terminal into the lateral recess of the soldering iron element I24. This forward swing of the arm I2I is completed substantially simultaneously with the completion of the interval of advance of the table, the arm and table coming into positions wherein a condenser body is brought directly beneath the head of the terminal. During the ensuing rest period of the table, the plunger I80 is actuated by the cam I89 to move the push rod I25 into the tumbler at the terminal-soldering station and place the condenser body and terminal into soldering relation with the soldering iron I24. After this soldering relation has been maintained for a short interval, the soldering iron is raised by the cam 45 mechanism I41 and again, after a short interval,

the clamping jaws I20 are opened. When the weight of the soldering iron is relieved from the terminal head and condenser body, the body will be raised somewhat by the stored energy in the I90; however, the iron is raised suiilciently by the cam mechanism I41 to yet free it from the terminal head and give the soldered Joint a chance to set before the clamping jaws are opened. Following the opening of the clamping jaws, the retracted, after which another step lation to the travel push rod is of advance of the table is begun, and the arm I2I is returned to take hold of another terminal from the terminal-forming machine. The return of the arm is however delayed until the table has undergone a substantial advance in order that the terminal which has been just soldered will be moved out of .the path of the arm before the arm is returned.

At two intervals of advance of the table I4 following the first terminal-soldering station, there is located the second turning station 29a for inverting the condenser bodies before they enter the second of the terminal-soldering stations. This turning station is different from the 7 turning station 29 above-described only in that the shape of the curved retaining means for holding the condenser bodies in the tumblers during the inverting operation-the means analogous to the retaining member 52 of the prior turning 75 station-is here provided as two spaced half secdering relation with the terminal and condenser body. Since the shaft I40 receives also a vertical movement from the cam mechanism I41, the pinion gear 201' of the gear set 201 is splined at 208 to the shaft I40, and the aforementioned biasing spring I15 for the shaft I40 is interposed between the flange I40 and the pinion gear, the gear being thus pressed upwardly in continuous sliding contact with the top wall of the housing I36.

The timing of the various operations performed by the terminal-soldering station, and their reof the table I4, is illustrated approximately by the group of vertically spaced functional diagrams shown in Figure 23, the significance of the respective diagrams being as is indicated in the figure. The horizontal dimensions of these diagrams each represent time to the same scale, each starting with the instant a step of advance of the table is begun; accordingly, the respective conditions of the different options 52a each of which is provided with a depending U-shaped portion 52a as is shown in Figures 8 and 9. The U-shaped portion is provided in order that the retaining sections will clear the terminals on the condenser bodies as the bodies are conveyed to and from the turning station, and a spacing 209 between the sections is pro vided in order that the latter will clear the terminals as the condenser bodies are inverted. By the action of this turning station, the terminals which have been soldered to the condenser bodies by the first one of the terminal-soldering stations are moved to lower position while the un-.

soldered ends are moved to the upper position.

At one step of advance of the table l4 beyond the first terminal-soldering station, thereis located the second terminal-soldering station a. This station is in all respects identical to the first terminal-soldering station above described, and thus it operates to solder terminals to the upper ends of the successive condenser bodies conveyed thereto, the two terminal-soldering stations accordingly serving to solder terminals to against the head of the terminal which has been first terminal-sol- Sealing stations The sealing stations herein next described are not claimed herein since the same are described preferably by filling the end space with a wax or other suitable material. done by a one-lobe cam plunger 2 and push rod cam 2"), is eifected by a compression spring 217 which is coiled about the boss 2| 6 and interposed between the top wall of the housing and a collar 2I8 on the plunger.

the machine, the shaft 2|! The centralizing is 2) acting through a" 'The valve is controlled by 16 As the plunger traverses the cam lobe, the rod 2 is moved up into the tumbler at this sealing condenser body in relathe top oi the container, the stem being slidably mounted in bearings 224 to move vertically to place th valve into open and closed positions. a one-lobe cam 22! which is pinned to the shaft 2" adiacently of the cam m. This cam 225 acts on a plunger boss and interposed between the housing and a collar 22! on the plunger. The plunger 226 is coupled to the valve 222 through a rocker system comprising a lever 21H i'ulcrumed to a standposition. However, in order the first sealing station will that the wax from have had time to terval of advance of the table station 29b, there is located the second sealing station 32a.

not include any centralizing means, for the conthat as is energized to pivotal connections 266 to nected at 268 to a rod here held centralized by the wax first sealing station, but is otherfirst sealthe Short-circuit testing station The short-circuit testing station 34 is located beyond the second sealing station as is shown in Figure 1. This station-which is shown in Figures 25, 26 and 27--operates to test the condensers successively for short circuits during respective successive periods of advance of the table. Whenever a condenser tests as being shorted, the testing means prepares an ejecting means for operation. This ejecting means into operation during the next period of the table to eject the defective condenser from This testing and ejecting means is not claimed herein as the same is claimed in my pending divisional application S. N. 581,643, filed March 8, i945, and entitled Automatic machine for electrical condensers.

Reference being had to Figures 25 and 26, it will be seen that as a condenser is carried from one rest postiion A to the next succeeding rest position B, the terminals of the condenser engage a pair of flexible conductor blades 240 which are supported in horizontal positions, one above and one below the shelf of the table 14, by an upright insulating post 241. This post is mounted on a housing 242 fractionally shown, it being understood that the housing 242 is suitably secured to the main frame ID of the machine. The blades 240 lead respectively to a pair of terminals 243 at the bottom of the post, which are connected in a circuit 244 serially including the actuating coil 245 of a relay 246 and a pair of terminal 241 adapted to make connection with a suitable source of current. The relay coil actuates a switch 248 comprising an upper movblade 249 and a lower semi-stationary blade 249 held insulatedly in horizontal positions by a stack 25!) and bracket 25!. The movbiased upwardly, to maintain the switch normally open, but carries an armature 252 by which the blade is pulled down into closed position as the relay coil 245 is energized. Overlying the blade 249 is a vertical detent arm 253 pivoted t 254 and biased, by a spring 255, against the side of a block 256 provided on the top side of the blade. When the blade reaches closed position, the detent arm is snapped over the top of the block under the influence of the spring 255 to latch the switch 248 closed. A step 253' on the end of the detent arm serves by its impingement against the side'of the block to define the operative position of the detent arm.

From the foregoing description, it will be'seen a short-circuited condenser is carried A to position B, the relay coil 245 cause the switch 248 to be latched in closed position; This closing of the switch 248 serves to prepare the ejecting means for operation as is hereinafter explained.

The prime mover for the ejecting means comprises a solenoid 260. This solenoid has a vertically disposed armature 261 coupled by a link 262 to a lever 263 which is supported by a standard 264 through a link 265, the link 262 having the armature and lever and the link 265 having 261 to the lever and standard.

from position pivotal connections The end of the lever adjacent the'armature26l is pivotally conslides vertically 8 in a long bearing 210 of the housing 242. To the upper end of this-rod there is secured an arm 21! which overhangs the table and carries a downwardly. extending pin 212 directly overhead the condenser at the rest position B aforementioned. The rod 268 is normally held in raised position, wherein the pin 212 is above the level of the tumblers 11, by a tension spring 213 acting on the lever 263 as is shown in Figure 25. When the solenoid 266 is however energized the rod 269 is propelled downwardly in opposition to the action of the spring 213 to cause the pin 212 to enter the tumbler at position B and push the condenser downwardly out of the tumbler.

B, a portion of the retaining plate 49 is cut away and a trap door 215 is provided in its place. This trap door, which is illustrated in Figure 27, is hinged to the retaining plate at 21 and normally held horizontally in closed position by a tension spring 211 connected between thc door and a The spring 211, however, yields to the pressure exerted against the door by a condenser the trap door then springing sition when the condenser being free of the door.

The solenoid 260 has a circuit 280 serially including a pair of terminals 281 adapted to make connection with a suitable source of current, the switch 248 hereinbefore described, and another switch 282. This latter switch is of the same type as the switch 248, comprising a movable blade 283 and a semi-stationary blade 283' both held insulatedly in a stack 284 by the aforementioned bracket 251. To simplify the structure, the two movable blades 249 and 283 of the switches 248 and 282 are made integral with one another, the same being bent at right angles as is shown in is biased to open position but is actuated intermittently to closed position by a cam 265 having a hump 285' on the periphery thereof. This cam is secured to a shaft 286 from whence it receives one revolution of continuous rotation for each step of advance of the table 14. The cam is so timed that the hump 285 will engage the switch blade 283 and close the switch 282 during each rest period of the table. Should the switch 248 be open when the switch 282 is thus closed, no action will result from the closing of the switch. However, should the switch 248 have been latched closed in response to a short-circuited condenser having been conveyed from position A to position B, into contact with the blades 240, the subsequent closing of the switch 282 will close the circuit of the solenoid 260, thereby causing the solenoid to be energized and the defective condenser to be ejected from the tumbler while it is at rest at position B.

In the continuing movement of the cam 285 following the closing or the switch 282, thehump 285 comes into contact with a horizontal arm 281 provided on the detent arm 253 and cams the detent arm off from the block 256 to release the switch 248 to open position. This opening of the switch 248 restores the testing means to initial condition-a condition for reoperation--and completes one cycle ofoperations of the station. The opening of the switch 248 is timed to take place before the next succeeding condenser is brought into contact with the blades 240; thus, the station is rendered ready to test the next succeeding condenser and to again eject the same should it test defective. 

